Author Archives: HISD Communications

Meetings offer opportunities to learn more about Recapture before May 6 vote 

HISD voters will be asked on May 6 to decide how the district will pay its Recapture obligation to the state of Texas.

Voters will choose between two options—purchase attendance credits from the state or have commercial property detached. A vote against purchasing attendance credits means that the district permanently will lose tax collections for certain commercial properties. A vote for purchasing attendance credits means that HISD will write a check to the state for local property taxes and continue to make annual recapture payments as long as property wealth grows. A number of community town hall meetings are scheduled for the public to learn more about the vote and HISD’s Recapture status: Continue reading →

Foster ES holds fourth annual Career Day 

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Multiple careers were represented by attendees at the fourth annual Career Day held at Foster Elementary on Friday, March 10.

Attending the event were police officers, a therapist, a realtor, an insurance agent, a doctor, dental representatives, an account manager from Centerpoint Energy – and even a snake-handler from Texas Snakes.

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Madison HS senior graduates despite health challenges 

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Surrounded by his family and doctors, as well as HISD Board President Wanda Adams, Madison Principal Orlando Reyna, and staff members, senior Erick Reyes donned a graduation cap and gown for a moving bedside ceremony at Texas Children’s Hospital on Friday.

Fox News was there and posted this story on their website.

Erick has been suffering with bone cancer for the past two years and was recently moved to hospice care. He enrolled at Madison in 2012 and was well on his way to graduation when he was diagnosed with bone cancer.  Erick struggled to continue his studies while receiving treatment but had to stop due to the severity of his illness. He went into remission and returned to campus to finish his final classes, but unfortunately, the cancer returned. Although Erick was unable to complete his dream of walking across the stage with his classmates, he was pleased to be honored with his diploma.

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HISD Board of Education approves plan to establish an internal disciplinary alternative education program

March 10, 2017 – The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday approved a proposal to establish an internal disciplinary alternative education program (DAEP) for secondary students for the 2017-2018 school year based on a timeline and benchmarks prepared by district administration.

Currently, the district’s DAEP services are provided to secondary students by Camelot Schools of Texas, LLC. The district’s contract with Camelot is set to expire on June 30.

“Thank you to Camelot,” said HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza, who had an opportunity to visit the Camelot facility this week. “There wasn’t one individual that I met that did not have the best of interest of our students in mind. But at the end of the day, these are our children. Every student will be educated in HISD by HISD teachers, principals, counselors, behavioralists, and support personnel.” Continue reading →

Washington HS students and staff sign beam for new building 

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Students and staff at Booker T. Washington High School had the opportunity on Friday to add their signatures to a steel beam being used in the construction of their new school, which is part of HISD’s 2012 bond program.

“It’s great to see the steel beams and columns going up,” said Washington Principal Carlos Phillips. “We’re happy about the progress and can’t wait to move-in next year.”

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Coming soon to a movie theater near you 

Teachers featured in advertisement for district

If you head to the movies over Spring Break, you may see some familiar faces on the big screen.

Several HISD teachers are featured in a video advertisement to recruit teachers to the district. The 30-second spot, called “Teach in the City,” is aimed at enticing current teachers who live in Houston and the surrounding suburbs to come teach at HISD. You can watch the video below.

“Teach in the City” features a half dozen HISD teachers, including Morgan Greco, a second-year teacher at Herod Elementary School.

“I am thrilled to be part of this effort to recruit both new and veteran teachers,” Greco said. “I love working for HISD.”

Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Ryan named National Magnet School of Excellence

Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Ryan has been named a National Magnet School of Excellence by Magnet Schools of America, the national association for magnet and theme-based schools.

“We are very excited to receive the Magnet School of Excellence Award,” said the school’s principal, Dr. Jyoti Malhan. “Every day, I see our faculty, staff and Baylor College of Medicine collaborators going above and beyond for our students, stepping in for coworkers, and making sure that our campus operation is seamless, and instruction is uninterrupted. I am fortunate to work with Team Awesome.”

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HISD board to receive overview of financial impact of recapture and detachment of commercial property on district

The Houston Independent School District Office of Budgeting and Financial Planning will make a presentation on the financial impact of recapture and detachment of commercial property on the district to the HISD Board of Education during the board’s monthly meeting on Thursday.

Last month, the board voted to call a May 6 election to ask voters if the district should pay its recapture obligation to the State of Texas by sending lower recapture payments to the state or through detachment of commercial property in July.

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Parker ES named National Magnet School of Distinction  

Parker Elementary has been named a National Magnet School of Distinction by Magnet Schools of America, the national association for magnet and theme-based schools.

“Parker has always been an outstanding school and it is a true honor to be recognized by Magnet Schools of America” said Principal Lori Frodine. “The stakeholders truly deserve this recognition, because it is through their collaboration that makes Parker such a special place.”

To receive a national merit award, members of Magnet Schools of America must submit a detailed application that is scored by a panel of educators. These schools are judged and scored on their demonstrated ability to raise student academic achievement, promote racial and socioeconomic diversity, provide integrated curricula and instruction, and create strong family and community partnerships that enhance the school’s magnet theme.

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Patterson ES students learn from Houston Symphony musicians 

Patterson Dual Language Literature Magnet school second-graders recently interacted and learned from “Community Embedded Musicians” with the Houston Symphony.

The CEMs visited the students during their ancillary time and helped them forge new connections between music and the art of storytelling and drama both before and after an in-school concert and a field trip to Jones Hall to see the whole symphony.  Continue reading →